Do you hear what I hear this time of the year?

By Lynn Welburn Nanaimo Daily News December 1, 2011

It's beginning to look - and sound - an awful lot like Christmas alright. But there are ways to drown out the din of "buy-buy-buy" that you might be hearing on your TV these days.

And you don't have to look too darn far either to find entertaining ways to get into a seasonal spirit. Here are a few suggestions for those looking to feel a little more festive.

These are all great family activities so go and enjoy:

. The Island Bel Canto Singers will take you on a musical journey with carols and Christmas songs from around the world at their annual concert, A Merry Little Christmas. Saturday at 2: 30 p.m. at Departure Bay Baptist Church, 3510 Departure Bay Rd. and Sunday, 7: 30 p.m. at Nanaimo Ecumenical Centre, 6234 Spartan Road., Both venues are wheelchair-accessible and have plenty of free parking. Tickets available at Fascinating Rhythm and The Quilted Duck Gift Cottage in Nanaimo, Mulberry Bush Book Store in Parksville, and Salamander Books in Ladysmith or online at www.islandbelcanto.com.

. If you're looking for something a little more 'olde country'., check out the Glengarry Celtic Christmas on Saturday from 3-6 p.m. at Ecole Oceane School Gym, 1951 Estevan Rd. Tickets available online at:
www.celticperformingarts. com/registration-tickets.

. Also on Saturday night, the Vancouver Island Symphony presents A Brassy Christmas with guest artists Beacon Hill Brass and the Malaspina Choir at the Port Theatre at 7: 30 p.m. This is a rare and lovely Christmas concert. Tickets: 250-754-8550 or online at www.porttheatre.com.

. In keeping with the spirit of giving, consider Glad Tidings, a Christmas Benefit Concert for Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank set for Sunday, 2 p.m. at St. Philip's by-the-Sea in Lantzville. A group of nine Voice Alive Singers present a variety of Christmas solos, duets, carols, and ensembles
with accompaniment by Donna Falconer, piano and Susanne Bullock, clarinet. Admission by donation. . Catch the Christmas spirit at the Community Carol Festival as eight of Nanaimo's finest community choirs entertain and inspire with the sounds of the season at the annual Community Carol Festival, Dec. 7, 7: 30 p.m. at St. Andrew's United Church, 311 Fitzwilliam St. Following the festival, join the choirs at a reception in the church hall. Admission by donation.

. TheatreOne and the Nanaimo Tidesmen and their barbershop quartets will entertain with favourite songs and carols. Noted actor Antony Holland will recite Cylan Thomas' A Child's Christmas in Wales and special guests will be the Nanaimo Chapter of the B.C. Boys Choir. All this on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. in
the Econmen-ical Centre, 6234 Spartan Rd. Tickets at: www.theatreone.org/tickets.html

. Allison Crowe will be back in town Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. performing her annual benefit concert at St. Andrew's United Church in the Old City Quarter. Along with Crowe, performers will include Christopher Wood, Raymond Salgado, Kiana Smith, Kalight Hargrove, Taylor Manns, Emily Blake and other guests. Concert will benefit Mind's Eye (NYSA) and Woodlands Secondary School band and basketball teams. Tickets available at Andres Bertram Studio, Lobelia's Lair, Tom Lee Music, House of Indigo, West Coast Classic Floral, Fascinating Rhythm and all Nanaimo Thrifty Food stores or at allisoncrowe.com.

. Celebrate the season in song with Camerata Singers and the Nanaimo Youth Choir on Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. at St. Andrew's United Church in the Old City Quarter. Tickets available at the door.

. Exercise your vocal cords at the Singalong Messiah. Join the Malaspina Choir, the Nanaimo Chamber Orchestra and soloists Natalie Marcaccini, soprano, Michelle McKenzie, mezzosoprano, David Brown, tenor, and Sam Marcaccini, bass, in a sing-along performance of the Messiah, Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. in St. Andrew's United church. Tickets at the Port Theatre Ticket Centre, 250-754-8550, or at the door. Partial proceeds to go to Nanaimo's Loaves & Fishes Food Bank. For more information, go to www.malaspinachoir.com.

. The Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular is a celebration of the season and an extravaganza of music, dance, lights, decorations and tasty treats. The Spectacular runs Dec. 7 to 18 at the Cedar Community Hall. This year's singing and dancing extravaganza includes a medley of 50's hits play many classical hits and Christmas favourites. Tickets: 250-754-8550 or online at www.porttheatre.com.

" What's Happening runs Thursdays. Send information on events to events@nanaimodailynews.com